A Swiss International Air Lines flight from Chicago to Zurich was forced to divert to the Azores on Tuesday after a chemical odour was detected onboard, prompting the crew to issue a distress call and several passengers to undergo medical checks upon landing.
Flight LX9, a Boeing 777 carrying 222 passengers and 16 crew members, sent out a distress call while over the Atlantic Ocean and diverted to the Azores, Swiss COO Oliver Buchhofer confirmed to media in Zurich on Tuesday. Buchhofer said the cause was a “chemical odour” onboard but did not provide further details.
Around five passengers and one crew member underwent precautionary medical examinations after landing
Swiss said in a press release that its crews take no chances in such situations: “In such a situation, our crews take no risks and, as a precaution, decide to land at a suitable airport.” The airline added that, in consultation with air traffic control, an in-flight emergency was declared so the aircraft would receive the necessary priority in the airspace.
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Swiss Flight From Chicago To Zurich Forced To Divert: All Passengers Evacuated Normally
All 222 passengers and the full crew, including two pilots and 14 flight attendants, were able to exit the aircraft normally after landing.
Around five passengers and one crew member underwent precautionary medical examinations following brief symptoms including eye irritation, nausea and headaches. Swiss said none of those affected required further medical attention.
Swiss said it planned to fly one of its own aircraft to the Azores on Tuesday afternoon to bring the stranded passengers onward to Switzerland, with the replacement flight scheduled to land in Zurich shortly after 10 p.m.
Swiss said it could not yet determine with certainty what caused the pungent odor in the economy cabin. “Our experts will thoroughly inspect the aircraft,” the airline said, adding: “We ask for your understanding that we will not speculate on possible causes until these investigations are complete.”
